Oil-Free, Gluten- Free, Vegan Chocolate Brownies (For Real)

Hiya Hedgehogs!

First up, disclaimer. I am not obsessed about things being healthy when cooking. I also eat plenty of gluten and have no allergies. While I know there are many people looking for grain-free and low-fat plant based recipes because of allergies and health, the reason I experiment with such things is just to see the tremendous possibilities out there.

The most compelling thing I've learnt about baking is how many nonsense myths are out there about what you 'need' to make something sweet and delicious. First myth? That you needs eggs for baking, I mean that is straight up crap. Eggless baking is the easiest thing in the world. I know there are plenty of vegan replacements for eggs ( chia seeds in this recipe for example) I'd argue for simple cakes you don't even need those.

So then I had to take it to the next level. Could I make chocolate vegan brownies without fat (oil) and  without flour or even wholewheat flour? The answer is hell yes.


There is much inspiration to be had on youtube for plant-based baking in all its variations: gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and even raw.

So here's my spin on baking these stellar brownies. But don't fool yourselves ya'll, it's still got sugar in it. And sugar is sugar. Although you could use jaggery syrup or blended dates, but that would give it a different flavour.  Jeez if you did that, then they would be oil-free, sugar-free, vegan brownies.

Chia seeds, cocoa powder, dark chocolate, almond flour 

Anyway, here's what you need


1 cup almond flour ( 3/4th cup almonds finally blended)
1 cup uncooked oats ( you can blend it if you want, but I used mine whole for a chewy-texture)
3/4th cup plant-based mylk (coconut, almond, soy, cashew) (I used almond)
60 grams (about 9-10 squares) of Amul Dark or Bitter chocolate (or any vegan dark chocolate)
1/4th cup pure cocoa powder
2 tablespoons chia seeds soaked in 7 tablespoons water
2 pinches of salt
3/4th cup brown or white sugar
1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract
1.5teaspoons baking powder



How to make

In a large bowl dump almond flour, oats, salt, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder. Blend in well with your hands or a large spatula. Set aside.

In a small pot add 2-3 tablespoons of water on low heat. Add your chocolate squares. Slowly stir it up till it melts fully. You can do this like a professional too with a double boiler, but I am way too lazy.

Lazy chocolate melting

Add the  melted chocolate  into your dry mixture. Now add your chia seeds and pour in your vegan mylk. Mix well into a glossy thick mixture that you can 'spoon in' to a baking pan.

Right before you add the chia-seed mix and vegan mylk

Grease a pan or a cake tin. Spoon in the thick batter into the pan. Level with a spoon.

Pop-in to a pre-heated oven (180c) for 20-23 minutes.

Let it cool. Slice up. You can garnish them brownies by dusting powdered sugar on top.

 Ain't that chocolate goodness rich?


Till next time!